The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-03
ANARCHY IN COLORADO.
Commissioners of Archuleta County Deposed
by Mob Led by the Sheriff.

DENVER, COL, Feb. 2-Pagosa Springs, the
count seat Of Archuleta county, is in state of
anarchy. A mob has driven the County Com
missioners from town and burned several
houses. The commissioners were scared
and forced to resign their Office at
the point of revovers A special from there
saws J. B. Martinez, j. P. Archuleta and NJ.
Scase. Republican county commissioners, were,
on Jan. 3, unseated by the Democratic sheriff,
named Helm. The act was perpetrated
with political intent, and the mob which
followed the sheriff. after having accomplished
the act of intimidation. burning the house of
Mr.. Scase. at Agosa Springs This last act was
committed on Monday, during the absence OF
Mr.. Scase IN Denver. Last November the
above named commissioners were elected by
Republican voters At the same time Democrat
named Height was elected sheriff. There was
great deal of feeling at the polls, but the pre-
pOnderating Mexican vote assured Martinez
Archuleta and Scase their triumph the at
tacks Of their antagonists. They were Mex
leans, and this too added strength to bitter
ness prevalent Feeling increased instead Of
diminishing the time for their induction
into Office approached, and on Jan. 3, at the
county-seat. the time for their official appear
ance, an armed mob of fifteen or twenty, led by
Sheriff Height forced their way into the
room where the commissioners were.
seated, and demanded them to vacate
their seats. The sheriff insisted that the
designations be made at once, else there would
be boodshed. The Commissioners, mistaken
in the temper of the mob refused,
stration was nothing more than buster,
but the mob, intent on its purpose,
took forcibe possession of the commissioners,
and with more threats locked them in room.
declaring il to be their purpose to starve them
into submission. At the time OF the forcible
entry of the mob, Martinez left the
room and escaped from the building. A
delegation of the mob overlook him and forcbly
dragged him to the courthouse and locked him
up, with his companions. Finally. at the ex-
piration of five or six hours. the mob permitted
their prisoners to go, but the concession seemed
to be for purpose, for as the three
commissioners separated. the mob, with the
sheriff still at their head. followed Commissioner
hotel at Hoeosa Springs, and it was here that he
resided. The mob surrounded the hotel, and,
taking Scase again in custody he was
dragged forth from the midst of his family,
and with gun barrel at bis head compelled to
resign his Office as Commissioners The
resignation, so obtained, was at once
forwarded to Governor Adams. aad
instructions sent with it that he appoint at once
Democrat in place of Scase. Since that time
no board has met No laws have
been enforced, and condition of
things bordering upon anarchy has
prevailed. The commissioners have not been
permitted to set foot in the county since the day
they were warned, at the peril of their
lives. not to return. In fact, it was dangerous
to remain in the vicinity, and they departed
at once to Denver not only for protection, but to
lay their grievances before their Representatives
in the Legislature and the Governor. The Gov
ernor is doing all in his power to secure set
Element of the trouble The matter will be
brought before the General Assembly to day and
joint committee appointed to investigate the
affair at once.